by Emma Creed
“You need me here.” His head shakes, but I can see that he’s tempted.
“And what do you need?” Scooping his hand up in mine, I bring it to my lips and press them against his knuckles and club ring. “I’m safe here, and I’ll still be here when you get back. Go do whatever it is you need to do. Just come back to me after.”
“What the fuck did I ever do to deserve you?” he asks me, opening up his hand and stroking it over my cheek. His touch is so delicate it’s hard to imagine him leaving here and causing anyone any pain.
He grabs his phone from the table and sends a text, then heads into the bedroom. He returns minutes later fully dressed with his hair tied back. He moves over to one of the drawers and takes out a handgun and slips it inside his shoulder holster, then puts his cut on over the top. When he bends down to tie up his boots, I stand right in front of him, and his eyes crawl up my body as he stands back up. My whole body catches fire when he takes my face in his hands and kisses me hard on the mouth.
“Be careful,” I whisper, and he smirks back at me as if he’s invincible, then places another kiss on my lips before he heads out the door.
I wait until I hear his bike leave the yard before I gather myself together. I open up my laptop and get to work.
I find Tobias Saunders’ file and pour myself a large glass of wine while I prepare myself to read it. He’s wanted for murder. The murder of Helen Saunders, his own wife and Tommy’s mother. I see the reports on what he’d done to her, the whole case was built and ready to go to trial but he’d skipped and vanished without a trace. I read the witness statements, friends of Helen’s who said she’d been planning to leave him, that he scared her. I wonder how much Skid knew about all of this.
Also linked to his file are a list of unsolved cases that he’s a suspect for. Another murder, this time a prostitute, and numerous rapes and assaults. All ironically taking place in the same town that Tobias Saunders had lived during the time they happened.
By the time I’m done reading I can understand why Brax had wanted me to bury the file. Chop needed a taste of real justice, and getting it from the authorities wouldn’t be enough. Skid deserves to execute whatever punishment the club comes up with and I will do anything I can to help make sure that happens.
My hands shake as I bring up the video, and begin watching it again.
“Where is it?” He’d asked Carly that question as soon as he arrived.
Where was what? What had he been looking for? Whatever it was must have been important enough to bring him back to the club despite the risk of him being arrested.
“You don’t have to play the clueless fuckin’ bitch with me. You know what I mean.” If Carly knew she would have told him, she wouldn’t have put herself in danger especially knowing it wasn’t just her he could hurt. Finding out what he wanted could be the key to finding out where he is.
I rush out of the door before thinking, dashing three doors down to Skid’s cabin, and my hand is knocking at his door before my brain can tell me it’s a bad idea. When the door swings open, Skid rocks in front of me with his broad, hairy chest exposed, and jeans undone, hanging loose around his waist. There’s a half full bottle swinging in his hand, and judging by the way he’s swaying with it I’d say he’s drunk. The way his eyes are empty of emotion tells me that he’s broken apart and can never be fixed.
“Can I come in?” I ask, surprised when he actually opens the door wider and stumbles back enough for me to enter. I follow him inside, and he slumps back into the arm chair and takes a swig from the bottle.
“Skid, I’m so sorry—”
“This ain’t on you,” he interrupts me with a low growl. “This is my fault.”
“You can’t blame yourself, nobody expected Chop to…” I can’t finish the sentence.
“He was your brother, he was everyone’s brother and he betrayed you. Surely you see that?”
“Why are you here, Maddy?” Skid asks me impatiently. “If you think you can make me feel better, save your time, it ain’t gonna happen.”
“I’m here because I want to help you, I want to help you all find Chop and make sure he gets what he deserves.”
“And how do you figure you’re gonna do that?” He huffs a laugh, looking at me like I’m a stupid child.
“When he came here, he was looking for something. Maybe if we can figure out what that something is, we can find him. Is there anything missing?” Skid shrugs his shoulders, unmotivated. “Come on, think. Is there any family he could go to? Where’s that trunk, maybe there’s something in there, an address, anything would be a start.”
“What trunk?” Skid looks at me puzzled.
“There was a chest full of old photographs and paperwork. Carly was looking at pictures with me that day…” And suddenly it clicks. “That’s what he wanted. The chest, that’s what he came back for.” Skid sits forward and scratches his head.
“So you’re telling me my brother risked coming back here, then raped and murdered my wife, all to pick up some chest full of old pictures?”
“Well is the chest here?” I ask, not meaning to sound quite so sarcastic.
“I told you before. I don’t know jack about any damn chest. Grimm cleared the place up after…” He pauses, taking in a painful breath. “Maybe you should ask him.”
“And where might I find Grimm?”
“Same place you’ll find everyone this time on a Friday night. Down at the club, probably getting his dick polished.” Skid laughs bitterly, taking another mouthful from the bottle. Before I turn away to leave, I reach down and wrap my arms around his wide shoulders.
“Carly wouldn’t want you pushing people away, you need to let people help you through this,” I tell him, feeling his body tense while I hold him for a little longer. I start making my way towards the door to go find Grimm.
“I’m sorry,” Skid’s voice comes from behind me, and I turn around. “I gave you a rough time when I thought it was the Bastards that took her.”
Skid’s apology is sincere, I know this because his eyes warm ever so slightly as he speaks it. I give him a grateful smile before I leave, closing the door behind me I head towards the club.
The music coming from the club is so loud I hear it right from the top of the track. Nerves root deep in my stomach as I walk closer and the music gets even louder. I know Jessie wouldn’t want me to be down here without him, but I open the doors and walk through the foyer anyway. Following the noise through to the back room.
My heart thumps heavy as I step in among the chaos. The women dance for the attention of Jessie’s friends while they sit at the bar drinking, some touching, others just watching. I catch Nyx in the corner of my eye, and decide he’s my best bet. He may not be the friendliest, but I’m more familiar with him than anyone else around here. I head over and ask him where I might find Grimm. Despite him looking pissed at me, he tips his head to the corner of the room. Grimm sits on a stool with his back facing the room, looking like he’s staring at the wall. I collect myself together and make my way over him.
He’s wearing his cut with black jeans, his hair cropped tightly at the back and sides, but tonight the longer, almost black hair on top that usually flops over to one side is slicked right back. I get closer, and realize what it is he’s so intrigued by and it stops my feet from moving forward.
There’s a girl on the floor in front of him, maybe a little older than myself. Brown hair flows around her bare breasts, and her index finger hangs from her mouth while her other hand plays between her legs. She’s completely naked except for her black heels, and her eyes are staring right into Grimm’s.
I step to the side, watching how intensely he concentrates on her. Like he’s desperate to touch her himself. He chews at his bottom lip the way I do on mine when I’m nervous, but this isn’t the same. Grimm isn’t nervous, he’s holding himself back. Almost like the girl’s a test and he’s torturing himself by watching.
I realize that Grimm is his own unique kin
d of beautiful. His lips are naturally colored rose pink, and despite being thin have a natural pout. He wears a ring through his slender nose like Nyx does, and his dark eyes are rimmed by thick, even darker lashes. His skin is pale and would be flawless if it wasn’t for the small tattoo under his left eye that looks like a cross.
A tilt of his head to the side and the slight tightening of his eyes is the only sign that he’s turned on when the girl starts bucking against her fingers, his tongue slowly rolls over his lips as she comes. She scurries herself up the wall and starts to walk towards him when she’s done. He warns her away by shaking his head and she takes his rejection like a pro, shrugging playfully and walking on past him.
Grimm stares at the wall for a while longer before spinning around on the stool, and just as he’s about to stand up I step in front of him.
“Hey,” I open with a friendly smile, and his face creases together suspiciously. “I’m Jessie’s, um…” I suddenly don’t know how to label it.
“I know who you are,” he says sternly.
“I was wondering if you could help me with something.” His eyes look me over. I get the sense he’s judging me, and it bugs me how much I want to know what his conclusion is.
“When you cleared up Skid’s place, was there a brown chest on the table next to my laptop?” I continue. I’ve wracked my brain, and that’s the last place I can remember seeing it. Grimm’s eyes narrow as his brain works to remember.
“Yeah,” he nods, and my heart sinks, if the chest had been what Chop wanted he would have taken it. I’ve fallen at a dead end.
“Where’s the chest now?” I ask, not wanting to take up anymore of his time.
“Gave it to Prez.” He pulls a cigarette from his cut and lights it. Drawing back on it he clicks his jaw from side to side to release three perfect smoke rings, each one larger than the one before.
“Thanks, Grimm,” I smile. “Do you know where Prez is?”
“Probably up at home,” he tells me, cutting the conversation by walking away.
I head straight for the doors that lead out of here. It’s stuffy and the room smells too much of smoke and sex. I need fresh air to cleanse my lungs and my eyes. Before I can reach the door a hand grabs at my shoulder and makes me jump. When I roll my head around, I realize it’s Nyx. I forgot how huge he is, especially for his age.
“Where ya heading?” he asks.
“I gotta speak to Prez.”
“Jessie wouldn’t want you wondering alone down here at night,” he tells me.
“I’ll be fine.” I struggle out of his grip, and he surprises me when he smirks back at me. Seeing Nyx smile is rare.
“I never said you wouldn’t be, but Jessie would still tie me in the basement if I didn’t make sure you got home safe.”
I roll my eyes at him and let him lead me outside to one of the trucks. I notice that a light is still on over at the garage, and I know it can’t be Skid, especially not in the state he was in when I left him.
“Who’s working this late?” I ask Nyx, curious.
“Rogue, she’ll be making up the work in the garage for Skid.”
“Who’s Rogue?” I’ve never heard anyone mention her before, not even Hayley.
“Just some girl who helps out.” Nyx shrugs, he’s not a big talker so I don’t know why I actually expected a decent answer out of him.
When Nyx takes a right at the fork, I figure he’s taking me back to the cabin instead of Prez’s lodge and when we pull up outside I thank him for the ride and head inside. It’s late, and it’s been a long, difficult day for everyone. At least I know where to start tomorrow.
I keep checking the clock, it’s been hours since Jessie left and I can’t help but worry if he’s okay. Before I’d met Hayley, Mama had been the only person that mattered. Since then I’ve become so much weaker. I’ve lost people I really care about, people who just a few months ago weren’t even in my life. I miss Mama, I know it’s for both our safety, but I wish I had more than a weekly phone call.
And now there’s Jessie. What I feel for him is different to anything I’ve ever felt before. It’s as if he holds the control to my heart and keeps it beating. I know what he does is dangerous, that he is dangerous, but I’ve never felt safer than I do when I’m with him.
Hearing his bike when it pulls up sets off fireworks of in my belly. I count the seconds in my head until the door opens, then spring onto my feet to go to him before the door that keeps us apart has even opened. When it does and he’s standing in front of me, nothing else seems to matter.
The dark red stains on his jeans, the crusted blood on his knuckles, are all irrelevant as I launch at him. He catches me and I wrap my legs around his waist, pressing soft kisses all over his face. There’s a metallic taste when I touch them over his lips, and when I pull back I realize it’s because it’s split. He doesn’t give me the chance to check if he’s okay. Fisting at my hair he forces me back onto his mouth. I hear him kick the door shut behind him then he turns our bodies so my back hits against it.
“Fuck, I’ve needed you,” he tells me, burying his head into my neck. His lips deliver sparks with every touch they make against my skin, and my hands grip to him afraid he might let me go.
He is all I have left and all I ever want. I’m in love with him, there’s no denying it. Every single part of him, even the savage side that he tries so hard to protect me from.
“Fuck me, Jessie,” I whisper, causing his head to hold off its journey down to my chest.
“What you say?” he asks looking up at me, unsure.
“I said I want you to fuck me,” I repeat. “The way you were going to when I was tied up in that basement.” His face suddenly drops, so does my stomach when I realize how angry he looks.
“Mads, what went on down there should never have happened, at the time I was really fucked up.”
“Then maybe I’m a little fucked up too, because I wanted it then, and it’s what I want now.” I bite my lip, and not because I’m nervous this time, but because I love the way his jaw tightens up whenever he notices me do it. I love affecting him no matter how small the reaction is. The pulsing between my legs is becoming unbearable, and the way his hips press me into the door is doing nothing to make it stop. I can feel him, hard through his jeans, and all I want is him inside me.
“I don’t have to be that person, not with you,” he tells me, gently tucking some of my hair behind my ear then uses his thumb to rub my cheek.
“No, not all the time. But maybe now… For me,” I dare him, taking his bottom lip between my teeth and giving it a gentle tug that makes him exhale heavily.
“You’re pushing my limits, darlin’,” he growls a warning into my lips.
“I went down to the club by myself,” I taunt, trying my best to provoke an angry reaction out of him. His nose slides up my cheek and his warm breath sends shivers down to my spine as it covers my ear.
“I know ya did,” he whispers, taking my lobe between his teeth and clamping it tight, forcing that shiver to travel straight to my center.
Fucking Nyx, I knew he’d rat me out.
My hips start to rub against him.
“Please, Jessie,” I purr like a needy kitten. I’m rewarded when his hips crush me tighter to the door and frees both his hands to grip at my vest, pushing it up over my body. He lifts it over my head and tosses it aside, then slides his hands behind my back, pressing me tighter against him. My exposed nipples brush against the tough leather of his cut and I wriggle my hips against him some more, desperate for him to fill the emptiness between my legs. He snatches at my ass, his fingers indenting my skin so hard I’ll bruise as they line me up with his rock solid cock.
Wedged between the door and his body, I feel like I’ll explode from frustration, and I moan when his hand moves between us delving into the front of my shorts. His middle finger skims through my pussy lips, making every single nerve in my body tense as he teases my entrance with the tip of his finger.
“Fuck it,” he commands, and I look at him puzzled.
“Sit your pussy on my finger and fuck it,” he tells me again.
I don’t hesitate. With my shoulders rested against the wooden door and my legs wrapped around him, I push my hips forward and let his finger slowly slip inside me. I ride his finger while his thumb circles my clit. His eyes stay fixed on mine, watching my reaction while my hips thrust against his hand, trying to stretch out the pleasure as I drench his finger.
I scream out his name, when an orgasm rips through me like a hurricane. Then just as I prepare to crawl back down to earth, the air whooshes around me and I’m back on my feet. Shaky legs barely hold me up as Jessie forces me forward, leaning the front of my body over the back of the couch.
He tugs at my shorts ripping them down to my ankles, then drops onto his knees, crushing my ass cheeks in his fists as he spreads them apart. I jolt when he nips at my flesh, his nose sliding right through me as he licks me from front to back. His tongue flicks over my tender flesh, teasing my pussy until I shatter and come all over again. I flush when he licks a trail through my ass cheeks, then up my spine until he’s standing up behind me. His belt clinks, and his firm fingers pressing into my hip bones are the only warning I get before he pushes his whole length inside me.
I cry out his name again and he fucks me so hard that my head goes numb. All painful memories of losing Hayley and Carly disappear along with the worry of never seeing Mama again. All that exists is us.
Him and me.
Here and now.
Jessie’s hand reaches around me, his palm crushing one of my tits before it slides up to wrap around my throat. The fingers of his other hand strums my clit, working me even higher. How he’s capable of doing so much to me at once scares me a little, but I don’t want him to stop. I never want him to stop, because I’m addicted to him.
He uses his grip on my neck to force my up body taut against his chest and his mouth finds my ear again.
“You’re mine, Maddy,” he rasps, his grip snatching all of the breath from my body. “Say it loud so I can hear it,” he orders.